Tempesta vs. temporale
The Italian words 'tempesta' and 'temporale' both refer to storms, but they have distinct meanings and usage in different contexts.
Tempesta
'Tempesta' refers to a violent storm, often associated with strong winds and heavy rain. It can be used for storms at sea or on land.
La tempesta ha causato molti danni alla città costiera.
(The storm caused a lot of damage to the coastal city.)
I pescatori non sono usciti in mare a causa della tempesta.
(The fishermen didn't go out to sea because of the storm.)
Temporale
'Temporale' specifically refers to a thunderstorm, characterized by thunder, lightning, and usually heavy rain. It is typically shorter in duration than a 'tempesta'.
Il temporale estivo è durato solo mezz'ora.
(The summer thunderstorm lasted only half an hour.)
I bambini si sono spaventati quando hanno sentito i tuoni del temporale.
(The children were scared when they heard the thunder from the thunderstorm.)
Summary
While both 'tempesta' and 'temporale' describe storms, 'tempesta' is a more general term for a violent storm, often long-lasting and affecting a larger area. 'Temporale' specifically refers to a thunderstorm, which is usually more localized and shorter in duration. 'Tempesta' can be used for sea storms, while 'temporale' is typically used for land-based storms with thunder and lightning.